Martin Phillipson and Gabriella Smart rehearse for New Music New Ensemble - Advertiser
Collective freedom for musicians by the Advertiser
AN ENSEMBLE devoted to contemporary classical performance will take up residence at the Elder Conservatorium.
Soundstream Collective, led by Adelaide pianist Gabriella Smart, will debut with a concert, New Music: New Ensemble, at Elder Hall on Friday.
The group has a grant from Adelaide University to commission new works and stage eight concerts over two years.
It is an offshoot of another Smart initiative, the Soundstream Adelaide New Music Festival.
“When the Soundstream Festival ended there was no ensemble in place to continue performing and recording and promoting new music,” said Smart, who teaches at Elder Conservatorium.
“The university has embraced the ensemble and the idea of cultivating new music through activities that link in with the community.”
Smart said it would build on the Soundstream Festival with performances, composer collaborations, commissions of new works and public events throughout the year.
“The Collective is a platform for collaboration, discourse and performance of new music,” she said.
New Music: New Ensemble will feature world premieres by Adelaide composer John Polglase and Australian-American composer Erik Griswold.
There will also be Australian premieres by international composers Esa-Pekka Salonen, Hanna Kulenty and Peter Eotvos, and American contemporary classical figure Steve Reich’s Clapping Music, in honour of the composer’s 75th birthday on October 3.
Smart will be joined in the concert by core Soundstream members and guest players, harpsichordist Stefan Ammer, violinist Elizabeth Layton, trumpeter Martin Phillipson, soprano Sidonie Henbest and Votex Percussion Ensemble.
Soundstream will hold an open rehearsal and discussion with Griswald about his composition, A Leaf Falls, the day before. The concert will also launch the Soundstream Commissioning Fund for new music.
Soundstream Collective will perform at Elder Hall, at 7.30pm, on Friday. Tickets through BASS. The free open rehearsal at Madley Performance Space starts at 8pm on Thursday.
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